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(Peace)… A Six-Letter Word: Has America Altered the True Meaning of This Word?
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(Monroe Doctrine)

The legal guardian of the world’s fortunes and resources—this is the most fitting description I see that aligns with America’s unannounced policy. If we want to understand what is happening around us in the world and the undeclared reasons for declaring wars, colonization, or even the newly trending term "counter-terrorism," we must comprehend and grasp American policy as the first step. This power emerged on the global stage after the Cold War and the collapse of its Soviet rival. America follows a specific strategy in its foreign policy, which is the policy of “showing contrary to what is concealed.”
This policy, in itself, shaped American power, which manifested during World War II when it managed to displace Britain and France from half of the Western hemisphere, claiming hegemony in this region and challenging the laws of the international system, which it viewed with its arrogant strength to be above international laws and the International Court of Justice. Rather, it is America that secretly crafts the laws of the international system and imposes them for application.
After successfully eliminating imperial competitors from the Western world and implementing the Monroe Doctrine—this document about which U.S. Secretary of State Lansing said that the United States protects its interests by endorsing the Monroe Doctrine, which President Wilson felt embarrassed to announce publicly, stating it was inappropriate to reveal American policy’s hidden intentions, especially as idealism in international relations had reached its peak—he nonetheless expressed support for Lansing's statement that the doctrine could not be revoked.
With this doctrine, Central America took on its new role in the new world order: selling raw materials and soaking up the benefits of American capital. The power of the United States rose as it monopolized the term “unipolarity” in the world, possessing half of the world’s wealth through illegal interventions in overseas elections or by delegating democracy in select countries considered gateways to the Middle East, such as Italy, Turkey, and Greece. As diplomatic historian Gerald Dehnitz notes, alongside the first historian of the CIA, the American administration took on the responsibility for the welfare of the capitalist system following World War II.
Greece was seen officially as part of the Middle East rather than Europe until the Greeks overthrew the fascist regime supported by the United States in the 1970s, which the U.S. State Department classified as a “source of strategic power,” considering it part of the outskirts required to guarantee control over Middle Eastern oil.
**Applying the Monroe Doctrine to the Middle East**
After World War II, America boasted about its power like a spoiled child that could get whatever it wanted, expressing a desire to expand its influence and control over Middle Eastern oil resources. Britain allied with it in this and followed a strategy of acting as it pleased without interference from any side, whether from the United Nations, the International Court of Justice, or the Organization of American States.
The British competitor to America was aware of the significance and danger of this doctrine and wrote after World War II, "It has always been my hope that we model our approach in the Middle East on the wise American example. I wish we had produced a document like the Monroe Doctrine, clarifying to the inhabitants of the region that we have ammunition in our guns and that we will fire it when necessary.” When the United States revealed its hidden policy in its desire to control Saudi Arabia, the British minister was provoked and angrily commented, “This is not Panama or San Salvador.”
America's unannounced policy, which has its roots deeply embedded over long decades of emergence and rising influence over international law, monopolizes decision-making for itself and imposes sanctions on those whose interests do not align with it. It has pursued a unipolar approach in all aspects of its foreign political dealings, showing little concern for Eastern European countries or for the suffering of Latin American nations that have grown weary of its dominance. It would reject any form of lawful, peaceful dissent against its oppressive policy over people in nations worldwide, which was evident in February 1997 when the U.S. rejected a World Trade Organization ruling against sanctions imposed by the American administration on Cuba following a request from the European Union to the organization. The response from America through the Kennedy administration expressed hope for bringing about change in the government of Havana.
The same attitude followed when the American administration refused the International Court decision regarding the ending of illegal use of force—international terrorism against Nicaragua—and its refusal to pay any reparations, also disregarding United Nations resolutions regarding respect for international law, with the U.S. receiving support only from Israel.
During the Clinton administration, the Monroe model was applied in the Middle East when Secretary of State Madeleine Albright stated before the Security Council, "From the standpoint of paramount importance of the region for American interests, we will act collectively when we can and unilaterally when necessary. We will not recognize any borders, obstacles, or even international.
BY: Netanya Mordechai
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BENEFIT AGM approves 10%...
- March 27, 2025
BENEFIT, the Kingdom’s innovator and leading company in Fintech and electronic financial transactions service, held its Annual General Meeting (AGM) at the company’s headquarters in the Seef District.
During the meeting, shareholders approved all items listed on the agenda, including the ratification of the minutes of the previous AGM held on 26 March 2024. The session reviewed and approved the Board’s Annual Report on the company’s activities and financial performance for the fiscal year ended 31 December 2024, and the shareholders expressed their satisfaction with the company’s operational and financial results during the reporting period.
The meeting also reviewed the Independent External Auditor’s Report on the company’s consolidated financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2024. Subsequently, the shareholders approved the audited financial statements for the fiscal year. Based on the Board’s recommendation, the shareholders approved the distribution of a cash dividend equivalent to 10% of the paid-up share capital.
Furthermore, the shareholders endorsed the allocation of a total amount of BD 172,500 as remuneration to the members of the Board for the year ended 31 December 2024, subject to prior clearance by related authorities.
The extension of the current composition of the Board was approved, which includes ten members and one CBB observer, for a further six-month term, expiring in September 2025, pending no objection from the CBB.
The meeting reviewed and approved the Corporate Governance Report for 2024, which affirmed the company’s full compliance with the corporate governance directives issued by the CBB and other applicable regulatory frameworks. The AGM absolved the Board Members of liability for any of their actions during the year ending on 31st December 2024, in accordance with the Commercial Companies Law.
In alignment with regulatory requirements, the session approved the reappointment of Ernst & Young (EY) as the company’s External Auditors for the fiscal year 2025, covering both the parent company and its subsidiaries—Sinnad and Bahrain FinTech Bay. The Board was authorised to determine the external auditors’ professional fees, subject to approval from the CBB, and the meeting concluded with a discussion of any additional issues as per Article (207) of the Commercial Companies Law.
Speaking on the company’s performance, Mr. Mohamed Al Bastaki, Chairman BENEFIT , stated: “In terms of the financial results for 2024, I am pleased to say that the year gone by has also been proved to be a success in delivering tangible results. Growth rate for 2024 was 19 per cent. Revenue for the year was BD 17 M (US$ 45.3 Million) and net profit was 2 Million ($ 5.3 Million).
Mr. Al Bastaki also announced that the Board had formally adopted a new three-year strategic roadmap to commence in 2025. The strategy encompasses a phased international expansion, optimisation of internal operations, enhanced revenue diversification, long-term sustainability initiatives, and the advancement of innovation and digital transformation initiatives across all service lines.
“I extend my sincere appreciation to the CBB for its continued support of BENEFIT and its pivotal role in fostering a stable and progressive regulatory environment for the Kingdom’s banking and financial sector—an environment that has significantly reinforced Bahrain’s standing as a leading financial hub in the region,” said Mr. Al Bastaki. “I would also like to thank our partner banks and valued customers for their trust, and our shareholders for their ongoing encouragement. The achievements of 2024 set a strong precedent, and I am confident they will serve as a foundation for yet another successful and impactful year ahead.”
Chief Executive of BENEFIT; Mr. Abdulwahed AlJanahi commented, “The year 2024 represented another pivotal chapter in BENEFIT ’s evolution. We achieved substantial progress in advancing our digital strategy across multiple sectors, while reinforcing our long-term commitment to the development of Bahrain’s financial services and payments landscape. Throughout the year, we remained firmly aligned with our objective of delivering measurable value to our shareholders, strategic partners, and customers. At the same time, we continued to play an active role in enabling Bahrain’s digital economy by introducing innovative solutions and service enhancements that directly address market needs and future opportunities.”
Mr. AlJanahi affirmed that BENEFIT has successfully developed a robust and well-integrated payment network that connects individuals and businesses across Bahrain, accelerating the adoption of emerging technologies in the banking and financial services sector and reinforcing Bahrain’s position as a growing fintech hub, and added, “Our achievements of the past year reflect a long-term vision to establish a resilient electronic payment infrastructure that supports the Kingdom’s digital economy. Key developments in 2024 included the implementation of central authentication for open banking via BENEFIT Pay”
Mr. AlJanahi concluded by thanking the Board for its strategic direction, the company’s staff for their continued dedication, and the Central Bank of Bahrain, member banks, and shareholders for their valuable partnership and confidence in the company’s long-term vision.
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